Work on ICD-10 began in 1983, became endorsed by the Forty-third World Health Assembly in 1990, and was first used by member states in 1994.
Whilst WHO manages and publishes the base version of the ICD, several members states have modified it to better suit their needs. In the base classification, the code set allows for more than 14,000 different codes and permits the tracking of many new diagnoses compared to the preceding ICD-9. Through the use of optional sub-classifications ICD-10 allows for specificity regarding the cause, manifestation, location, severity and type of injury or disease. The adapted versions may differ in a number of ways, and some national editions have expanded the code set even further; with some going so far as to add procedure codes. ICD-10-CM, for example, has over 70,000 codes.
The WHO provides detailed information regarding the ICD via its website – including an ICD-10 online browser and ICD training materials. The online training includes a support forum, a self learning tool and user guide.
International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th include:
Chapter |
Blocks |
Title |
I |
A00–B99 |
Certain infectious and parasitic diseases |
II |
C00–D48 |
Neoplasms |
III |
D50–D89 |
Diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs and certain disorders involving the immune mechanism |
IV |
E00–E90 |
Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases |
V |
F00–F99 |
Mental and behavioural disorders |
VI |
G00–G99 |
Diseases of the nervous system |
VII |
H00–H59 |
Diseases of the eye and adnexa |
VIII |
H60–H95 |
Diseases of the ear and mastoid process |
IX |
I00–I99 |
Diseases of the circulatory system |
X |
J00–J99 |
Diseases of the respiratory system |
XI |
K00–K93 |
Diseases of the digestive system |
XII |
L00–L99 |
Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue |
XIII |
M00–M99 |
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue |
XIV |
N00–N99 |
Diseases of the genitourinary system |
XV |
O00–O99 |
Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium |
XVI |
P00–P96 |
Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period |
XVII |
Q00–Q99 |
Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities |
XVIII |
R00–R99 |
Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified |
XIX |
S00–T98 |
Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes |
XX |
V01–Y98 |
External causes of morbidity and mortality |
XXI |
Z00–Z99 |
Factors influencing health status and contact with health services |
XXII |
U00–U99 |
Codes for special purposes |